Sajek blockade bars tourists

KHAGRACHHARI, Oct 29: The hills are quiet, tourist spots stand nearly deserted, and small businesses are struggling to survive as an eight-day blockade over Sajek has brought tourism in neighbouring Khagrachhari to a near standstill.

Alutila, Richhang Waterfall, District Council Park and other popular attractions, usually bustling with visitors, are seeing a sharp decline in tourist arrivals. Hotels, restaurants, transport operators and small businesses are bearing the brunt, leaving tourism-dependent workers struggling to support their families.

The indefinite blockade began on October 22 following five demands raised by the Sajek People's Rights Protection Committee and the Sajek Karbari Association. Tourist travel to Sajek, a popular destination in Rangamati's Baghaichhari upazila, has been halted amid security concerns, with road communication through Dighinala in Khagrachhari remaining suspended.

The protesters are demanding the withdrawal of armed members of the Jana Samhati Samity (JSS-Santu Larma faction) from Sajek, security for local residents and an end to alleged harassment during searches of their homes by law enforcement agencies.

On October 26, a high-level government delegation held talks with the protesters at Baghaihat. Although agreements were reached on several demands, differences over the timeline for removing the armed members prevented a complete settlement. 

The committee subsequently announced that its movement would continue, leaving the reopening of the tourist destination uncertain.

The disruption has also prompted tourists to cancel or postpone trips to Khagrachhari, further reducing sales at businesses around the district's attractions.

Kabita Tripura, a mobile fruit seller at Alutila, said her sales usually increased when Sajek was open and tourists visited nearby attractions.

“But there have been hardly any visitors for about a week, and sales have virtually stopped. It has become difficult to manage my family's expenses,” she said.

Jitendra Lal Tripura, owner of Rovasta Coffee House at Alutila, said the shop was his family's only source of income.

“Tourists have become very scarce since Sajek closed. If the situation continues, I may have to shut down my shop,” he said.

Employees at Khagrachhari District Council Park said the fall in visitor numbers had created uncertainty about their livelihoods, while food stalls and other small businesses nearby were also suffering.

Mohammad Kamal Hossain, vice-president of the Khagrachhari Road Transport Workers' Union, urged the authorities to resolve the crisis quickly and ensure safe travel for tourists, saying many transport workers were struggling to support their families.

Khagrachhari MP Abdul Wadud Bhuiyan, chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Chittagong Hill Tracts Affairs, said discussions among the parties concerned were continuing to restore normalcy. He expressed hope that the Sajek crisis would be resolved soon.